Rail system having light assembly

ABSTRACT

A rail system having a light assembly is provided including a rail for holding a panel and at least one column, wherein the rail includes a recess for attachment to an edge of the panel, wherein the rail and at least one column comprise a housing for the light assembly.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The present invention is directed to rail systems for attachment to the edge of a panel, and more particularly to rail systems having light assemblies for attachment to the edge of a panel.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] Rail systems are conventionally used as panels, such as panes of glass in a doorway opening, or as a wall partition or sidelite. Usually, the rail system consists of a continuous extruded metal rail secured along one or more edges of the panel. These rail systems are frequently used as decorative fixtures on storefront doors and sidelites. Decorative rail systems attract the attention of passers by by providing an aesthetically pleasing storefront rail system that catches the eye of prospective customers. The frameless vertical edges provide an unobstructed view of products on display. This type of frameless door and sidelite rail system is more aesthetically pleasing than fully framed systems.

[0003] One disadvantage of conventional rail systems is their lack the flair and eye-catching appeal for attracting potential customers. Therefore, there exists a need for a rail system for storefronts that provides a more eye-catching, aesthetically pleasing appearance.

[0004] Another disadvantage of conventional rail systems is that they do not provide lighting, which may be useful to customers of the store or to passers by. For example, lighting could prevent a person from tripping over an otherwise undetected object on the sidewalk or could help someone quickly find his or her keys in the dark. Therefore, there exists a need for a rail system that also serves as a lighting assembly.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0005] The present invention alleviates to a great extent the disadvantages of known rail systems by providing a rail system that contains an aesthetically pleasing lighting assembly to help provide an eye-catching decorative storefront appearance. The lighting assembly also illuminates the storefront ground, preventing the occurrence of certain potential accidents.

[0006] Some embodiments of the present invention include a rail system for holding a panel, comprising a rail system and a light assembly, wherein the rail includes a recess for attachment to an edge of the panel.

[0007] According to some embodiments, the rail comprises shatter-resistant transparent tubing including an outer tube, an inner tube and ribs that connect the outer tube to the inner tube. The light assembly includes rope lighting pulled through the tubing, wherein the rope lighting illuminates the tubing. The rope lighting and/or the tubing may be colored to produce colored light. Additionally, the inner tube may include an exterior surface having a plurality of triangular serrations for diffusing light. Moreover, the outer tube may include an interior surface having a plurality of triangular serrations for diffusing light and an exterior surface having a plurality of semicircular projections for diffusing light.

[0008] Other embodiments include a rail system for holding a panel, including a top rail, a bottom rail, at least two columns and a light assembly, wherein the top rail includes a recess for attachment to an edge of the panel, and wherein. The light assembly may further include at least one light bulb within the at least two columns, wherein the at least one light bulb illuminates the bottom rail. The at least one light bulb may be colored for producing colored light.

[0009] These and other features and advantages of the present invention will be appreciated from review of the following detailed description of the invention, along with the accompanying figures in which like reference numerals refer to like parts throughout.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0010]FIG. 1 is a front view of an embodiment of an assembly in accordance with the present invention;

[0011]FIG. 2 is a front view of an embodiment of an assembly in accordance with the present invention;

[0012]FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of an embodiment of an assembly in accordance with the present invention;

[0013]FIG. 4 is a front view of an embodiment of an assembly in accordance with the present invention;

[0014]FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of an embodiment of an assembly accordance with the present invention;

[0015]FIG. 6 is a front view of an embodiment of an assembly in accordance with the present invention;

[0016]FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view of an embodiment of an assembly in accordance with the present invention;

[0017]FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view of an embodiment of an assembly r in accordance with the present invention;

[0018]FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view of an embodiment of an assembly in accordance with the present invention;

[0019]FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view of an embodiment of an assembly in accordance with the present invention;

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0020] FIGS. 1-5 show an embodiment of a rail system 100 having a lighting assembly 525,545 for attachment to a vertically standing panel 110 according to the present invention. Panel 110 maybe a pane of glass, sidelite, board, sheet or any other type of vertically standing panel. In this embodiment, the panel 110 is a pane of glass for a door. Rail system 100 extends along a bottom edge 180 of the panel 110 and includes first column and second columns 120,130 and top and bottom rails 140,150 that extend between the first and second columns 120,130. The columns 120,130 and the bottom rail 150 comprise a housing for the lighting assembly 525,545, which includes rope lighting 525 and/or light bulbs 545.

[0021] As seen in FIGS. 1-4, a first side 400 of each column 120, 130 includes a cover plate 410 for accessing the light assembly 525,545 during installation, repair and replacement of the rope lighting 525 and light bulbs 545. The first side 400 further includes a recessed region (at 410) dimensioned to receive the cover plate 410 so that the cover plate 410 is flush with the first side 400.

[0022] Once in place within recessed region, the cover plate 410 is mounted to a support 430,440 mounted within column 120. As best seen in FIG. 4, according to some embodiments, the support 430,440 comprises a pair of backstops 430,440. Cover plate 410 is mounted to the backstops 430,440 using threaded fasteners such as screws, which pass through threaded holes 425 in the cover plate 410 and backstops 430,440. Backstops 430,440 also provide structural integrity to column 120. The backstops 430,440 are preferably made from unfinished extruded aluminum. Alternatively, the backstops may be made from steel, brass or reinforced plastic.

[0023] According to some embodiments, the cover plate 410 is shaped to match the contour of the column 120 such that an observer would not notice the cover plate 410 without a close inspection of the column 120. In addition, cover plate 410 can be made from the same material as column 120 to further conceal its existence.

[0024] As seen in FIGS. 4 and 5, the bottom rail 150 comprises a cylinder in the form of a pipe 150, hose 150 or tubing 150. According to the illustrated embodiment, the tubing includes an outer tube 500 or lens 500, an inner tube 510 and a pair of ribs 520. The ribs 530 suspend the inner tube 510 within outer tube 500, which may have a standard two-inch exterior diameter. As would be understood by one of ordinary skill in the art, any number of ribs 530 other than two can be used to suspend the inner tube 510.

[0025] As seen in FIG. 4, according to some embodiments, rope lighting 525 may be used to illuminate the tubing 150. The rope lighting 525 includes a series of small light bulbs 545, which are connected by electrical wiring to form rope light sections, which, in turn, are connected together to form rope lighting 525 of any desired length. After connecting a series of rope light sections, the rope lighting 525 may be pulled through the inner tube 510 and connected to a power source.

[0026] According to other embodiments, conventional light bulbs 535 may be mounted within the columns 120,130 to illuminate the tubing 150 instead of, or in addition to the rope lighting 525. Up to two light bulbs 535 can be mounted in each column 120,130. The light bulbs 535 can be attached to a power source using wiring running through the top and/or bottom rails 140,150. Types of light bulbs 535 that maybe employed to illuminate the tubing 150 include, but are not limited to halogen bulbs, incandescent bulbs and fluorescent bulbs.

[0027] According to the illustrated embodiment in FIG. 5, the interior surface of the outer tube 500 and the exterior surface of the inner tube 510 include a plurality of triangular serrations 540. These triangular serrations 540 help diffuse light as it emanates through the tubing 150. The diffusion of light makes rope lighting 525 invisible to a casual observer. To further diffuse the light, the exterior surface of the outer tube 500 contains a plurality of semicircular projections 550. Providing semicircular projections 550 on the outer tube 500 has the effect of masking scratches caused by daily wear and tear.

[0028] In some embodiments, the tubing 150 is made from a translucent, shatter-resistant material such as clear plastic. Advantageously, plastic tubes can easily be cut to length and may be bent to fit around corners when heated. The tubing 150 can, alternatively, be made from other materials including, but not limited to, glass, tempered glass, acrylics and polycarbonates.

[0029] In order to produce a colored light effect, the tubing 150 may be colored. Alternatively, colored rope lighting 525 or colored light bulbs 535 may be used with transparent tubing 150 to produce such an effect.

[0030] As seen in FIG. 1, each column 120,130 includes a rail coupler 340 on one side and an end cap 370 on the other side. The rail couplers 340 are used to attach the top and bottom rails 140,150 between the columns 120,130. The rail couplers 340 are secured to the columns 120,130 using conventional means, such as by screws, adhesive, or, alternatively, by other means such as by a force fit or friction fit.

[0031] As best seen in FIG. 8, each coupler 340 includes an upper coupling section 345 having a recess 350, a lower coupling section 355 having a recess 360, a pair of apertures 325 within recess 350 and a aperture 335 within recess 360. The apertures 325,335 are openings for running wiring and/or rope lighting through the top and bottom rails 140,150.

[0032] As best seen in FIGS. 8 and 9, recess 350 is dimensioned to secure an end of the top rail 140 and recess 360 is dimensioned to secure an end of the bottom rail 150. A setting block 400 and installation gaskets 410 can be used to better secure panel 110 within recess 190. In addition, vinyl may be rolled into empty spaces within the recess 190 to provide a cushioning effect.

[0033] As best seen in FIGS. 3 and 4, the columns 120,130 include a recess 170 structured to secure the columns 120,130 to the bottom edge 180 of the panel 110. For door assemblies, the columns 120,130 clamp the panel 110 such that the panel 110 is raised off ground and there is a resulting gap between columns 120,130 and beneath the panel 110. The rails 140,150 are adapted to span the gap to block dust, air, light and pests from getting in. An advantage of this design when compared to doors that employ patch fittings or patch rails is that no notches need to be made in the panel 110 to accommodate for the height of the column 120,130, thereby providing a costs savings.

[0034] As best seen in FIG. 7, the top rail 140 includes a similarly shaped recess 190 structured to accommodate the bottom edge 180. The columns 120,130 are adapted to be slipped onto the bottom edge 180 of the panel 110 and clamped thereto. The process of clamping a panel to a rail system is described in detail in U.S. application Ser. No. 09/631,148, which is hereby incorporated by reference.

[0035] According to some embodiments, both the top rail 140 and the columns 120,130 are tapered toward the top recessed end such that they have a teardrop-shaped cross-section. Alternatively, the rail 140 and columns 120,130 may have other cross-sections, such as square cross-sections. The teardrop shape meets the Americans with Disabilities Act standards, which require a taper of at least 60 degrees from a vertical plane. The teardrop shape is important to prevent a footrest from a wheelchair, for example, from getting caught on top of a railing or column. Advantageously, the top rail 140 is a round extruded tube that is easy to bend around corners.

[0036] In some embodiments, the top rail 140 and the columns 120,130 are formed of aluminum and are manufactured by extrusion. Since both sides of the top rail 140 and columns 120,130 may be visible, it is preferable to use an attractive finish, such as satin anodize, black anodize or bronze anodize. Alternatively, conventional cladding, such as brass plates, may be placed over the exposed surfaces by conventional means, such as an adhesive.

[0037] As seen in FIG. 10, each end cap 370 includes an upper coupling section 375 having an opening 380 and a lower coupling section 385 having an opening 390. Opening 380 is dimensioned to secure an end of the top rail 140 and opening 390 is dimensioned to secure an end of the bottom rail 150. End caps 370 are secured at an end of columns 120,130 by screws, adhesive, or, alternatively, by other means such as by a force fit or friction fit.

[0038] Advantageously, the end caps 370 provide an aesthetically attractive, removable surface at the end of columns 120,130 and appear as an extension of the top and bottom rails 140,150 through the columns 120,130. The end caps 370 further include recesses 395 dimensioned to accommodate the bottom edge 180 of the panel 110. The end caps 370 and rail couplers 340 may match columns 120,130 or rails 140,150 or both in appearance. Alternatively, the modular nature of system 100 allows columns 120,130, rails 140,150, end caps 370 and rail couplers 340 to be mixed and matched in a virtually limitless number of configurations.

[0039] Positioned between the rails 140,150, is gap filler 330, which fills a space that would otherwise exist between rails 140,150. According to some embodiments, the gap filler 330 is an integral and continuous extension of the top rail 140 that projects from the bottom end of the top rail 140. The gap filler 330 is dimensioned to fit the contour of the bottom rail 150 such that the gap is eliminated. The gap filler blocks dust, air, light and pests from getting in and also provides structural integrity.

[0040] According to some embodiments, rail system 100 also extends along a top edge 175 of the panel 110, as seen in FIG. 1. Other embodiments (not shown) feature a modular rail system 200 that further extends along left and right edges 185,195 of the panel 110. Generally, glass doors only have rails at the top and bottom of the door. Wall partitions may have rails at the top, bottom and sides.

[0041] In other embodiments, column sections 120,130 can be used in full length to span the bottom edge of a pane of glass for a glass door. Unlike conventional rail columns that are bonded to the glass, column sections 120,130 can be recycled because they can be easily removed from the (broken) glass if needed and reused with a new glass pane. In addition, the column sections 120,130 can be mitered in both planes to provide corners in the horizontal or vertical planes.

[0042]FIG. 6 shows an embodiment of a rail system 200 having a lighting assembly for attachment to a pair of adjacent panels 205,210. In the illustrated embodiment, the panels 205,210 are sidelites and the columns are stationary columns 240,250,260, which are mounted to the supporting surface 320. Rail system 200 extends along bottom edges 215,220 of the panels 205,210 and includes a first column 240, a second, middle column 250 and a third column 260, wherein the second column 250 is positioned in between the first and third columns 240,260.

[0043] The system 200 further includes top 225,235 and bottom 245,255 tiers of rails extending between the stationary columns 240,250,260. Columns 240,250,260 are adapted to be fixedly attached to the supporting surface 320 by screws, bolts, rivets, nails or other fasteners. As seen in FIG. 6, the end columns 240,260 include a rail coupler 340 on one side and an end cap 370 on the other side. Middle column 250 includes a rail coupler on both sides. The columns 240,250,260 and the bottom 245,255 tiers of rails comprise a housing for lighting assembly 525,545, which may be accessed by removing cover plates 410. The rails 225,235,245,255, columns 240,250,260 rail couplers 340 and end caps 370 are similar to those described above with respect to FIG. 1.

[0044] According to the illustrated embodiment, floor strips 300,310 are positioned between the second tier of rails 255 and supporting surface 320. The floor strips 300,310 are dimensioned to fit the contour of the second 245,255 tiers of rails to eliminate a gap just above supporting surface 320. Like the gap filler 330, the floor strips 300,310 block dust, air, light and pests from getting in and provide structural integrity and rigidity to the system 200.

[0045] According to some embodiments, rail system 200 also extends along a top edge 305,315 of the panels 205,210. Other embodiments (not shown) feature a rail system 200 that further extends along a left edge 285 of panel 205 and along a right edge 290 of panel 210. As would be appreciated by one of ordinary skill in the art, additional columns and rails could be used to hold three or more adjacent panels, without departing from the scope of the present invention.

[0046] Thus, it is seen that a rail system is provided. One skilled in the art will appreciate that the present invention can be practiced by other than the preferred embodiments which are presented in this description for purposes of illustration and not of limitation, and the present invention is limited only by the claims that follow. It is noted that equivalents for the particular embodiments discussed in this description may practice the invention as well. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A rail system for holding a panel, comprising: a rail; and a light assembly; wherein the rail includes a recess for attachment to an edge of the panel.
 2. The rail system of claim 1, wherein the rail comprises tubing.
 3. The rail system of claim 2, wherein the tubing includes an outer tube and an inner tube.
 4. The rail system of claim 3, wherein the tubing further includes ribs that connect the outer tube to the inner tube.
 5. The rail system of claim 2, wherein the tubing is made from a shatter-resistant transparent material.
 6. The rail system of claim 3, wherein the outer tube has a two-inch outside diameter.
 7. The rail system of claim 1, wherein the light assembly includes rope lighting pulled through the rail, wherein the rope lighting illuminates the rail.
 8. The rail system of claim 7, wherein the rope lighting is colored to produce colored light.
 9. The rail system of claim 2, wherein the tubing is colored for producing colored light.
 10. A rail system for holding a panel, comprising: a top rail; a bottom rail; at least two columns; and a light assembly; wherein the top rail includes a recess for attachment to an edge of the panel.
 11. The rail system of claim 10, wherein the each column includes a cover plate for accessing the light assembly during installation, repair and replacement.
 12. The rail system of claim 11, wherein each column includes a recessed region dimensioned to hold the cover plate so that it is flush with the column.
 13. The rail system of claim 12, wherein each column further includes at least one support plate for supporting the cover plate
 14. The rail system of claim 10, wherein the bottom rail comprises tubing.
 15. The rail system of claim 14, wherein the tubing includes an outer tube and an inner tube.
 16. The rail system of claim 15, wherein the tubing further includes ribs that connect the outer tube to the inner tube.
 17. The rail system of claim 14, wherein the tubing is made from a shatter-resistant transparent material.
 18. The rail system of claim 15, wherein the outer tube has a two-inch outside diameter.
 19. The rail system of claim 10, wherein the light assembly includes rope lighting pulled through the bottom rail for illuminating the bottom rail.
 20. The rail system of claim 19, wherein the rope lighting is colored to produce colored light.
 21. The rail system of claim 10, wherein the light assembly includes at least one light bulb within the at least two columns, wherein the at least one light bulb illuminates the bottom rail.
 22. The rail system of claim 21, wherein the at least one light bulb is colored for producing colored light.
 23. The rail system of claim 21, wherein the top rail is a hollow tube that is a conduit for wiring for the at least one light bulb.
 24. The rail system of claim 15, wherein the inner tube includes an exterior surface having a plurality of triangular serrations for diffusing light.
 25. The rail system of claim 15, wherein the outer tube includes an interior surface having a plurality of triangular serrations for diffusing light.
 26. The rail system of claim 15, wherein the outer tube includes an exterior surface having a plurality of semicircular projections for diffusing light. 